In a surprising turn of events, it has been suggested that Gable Steveson, one of the brightest prospects in mixed martial arts (MMA), should reconsider his mentorship under Jon Jones, who is often hailed as the greatest UFC fighter in history. Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, is currently receiving guidance from Jones, who candidly admitted that coaching him feels somewhat like ‘cheating.’ This sentiment stems from the fact that the 25-year-old athlete is viewed as a ‘human cheat code’ due to his remarkable skills and athletic prowess.
Jon Jones recognizes that Steveson's wrestling achievements make him an ideal candidate for nurturing into an elite fighter. Coaches associated with Jones have even noted striking similarities between Steveson and a younger version of Jones himself, indicating a potential for Steveson to dominate the sport in the future. However, not everything is as straightforward as it appears. A former heavyweight champion in the UFC has raised concerns about whether Steveson’s association with Jones is truly beneficial for his career.
With 2026 shaping up to be a pivotal year for Steveson—especially after he scored consecutive first-round knockouts in his initial MMA bouts—there are significant expectations surrounding his debut in the UFC. He aims to make a splash in the octagon this year, but Brendan Schaub, a former UFC fighter, believes that Steveson could glean more from veterans like Demetrious Johnson or Georges St-Pierre instead of aligning closely with Jones.
While Jon Jones's accolades within the Octagon have earned him the title of the greatest of all time for many fans and analysts, his conduct outside the ring raises eyebrows. Schaub pointed out that Jones's inconsistent training habits before fights are among the reasons he feels Steveson would fare better with other mentors. "There’s only one Jon, and that’s why he’s the GOAT," Schaub remarked on The Schaub Show. However, he added, "When considering the GOAT conversation, if you factor in accomplishments both inside and outside the Octagon, then Mighty Mouse [Demetrious Johnson] or GSP [Georges St-Pierre] would stand out as superior choices for mentorship."
Despite these criticisms of Jones, it’s undeniable that he has already played a crucial role in shaping Steveson’s career trajectory. During a recent appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Steveson shared how witnessing the interactions people had with Jones inspired him to pursue a path in MMA. "I realized, wow, this is what it truly means to be a fighting star," he reflected. Steveson contrasted the individual nature of combat sports with team-oriented sports, emphasizing the allure of being recognized as a standout fighter.
Regardless of the debate surrounding his mentorship, it’s clear that Gable Steveson stands to gain immensely from the experience and knowledge of Jon Jones, supplemented by a strong support team. As Steveson prepares for the next chapter in his career, the discussions around his mentorship will likely continue to spark varying opinions within the MMA community.
What do you think? Should Gable Steveson stick with Jon Jones or seek guidance from other champions like Johnson or St-Pierre? Join the conversation and share your thoughts!
